BEHINDWOODS ARTICLES

SHIVA VS. SANTA - A BATTLE OF THE 'LAUGHTER DOCTORS'

By Kaushik L M

This Friday, an interesting box-office battle is set to ensue all over the state. At a time when light hearted entertainers are the order of the day, with the likes of Soodhu Kavvum, Neram and Ethir Neechal dominating the proceedings, arrive Thillu Mullu and Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru to give more viewing pleasure and LOL moments to the viewing audience. It is an indirect battle between Shiva and Santhanam despite the involvement of other big names in these projects.

While Shiva reprises what Superstar Rajini did with utter class and ease in the original Thillu Mullu directed by the path breaking K.Balachander, unofficial ‘Comedy Superstar’ Santhanam would be playing another of his typically boisterous ‘Man Friday’ roles where he would be constantly dominating the proceedings along with the main hero by his side. TVSK is another of those many movies presented by UTV Motion Pictures, where we have Santhanam in a pivotal role. UTV’s previous movies like Deiva Thirumagal, Thandavam, Kalakalappu and Settai have also had Santhanam in prominent roles.

Coming to our new Thillu Mullu ‘Mannan’ Shiva, he has made a roaring start to his career with movies like Chennai 28, Saroja and Thamizh Padam earning him a huge fan following among the urban youth. His strike rate has been enviable till now with just a few of his movies failing to get the desired response. The main reason for his soaring popularity is his unique comedic sense and the way he utters funny dialogues with a straight, serious face. That he can turn seemingly serious situations into total laugh riots is another gift.

Thillu Mullu has a lot to live up to, given the classic status that the original has, even now. The support cast has some bankable actors in the name of Prakash Raj and Kovai Sarala but Shiva will be the focal point. With dual roles to perform, he has a lot to improvise and if he can pull it off, then a laugh riot is assured.

Santhanam on the other hand has very little left to be said or written about. His stardom level is at a peak and just the mere presence of Santa in a movie can ensure a good opening for it. Over the past few years, movies like Siva Manasula Sakthi, Boss Engira Baskaran, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, Siruthai, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya to name a few have majorly used Santhanam’s skills at tickling the funny bone, to rake in the moolah at the ticket counters. Even otherwise average movies have been bolstered by the mere presence of the man and have managed to break-even at the turnstiles.

Though we have two big young stars in the form of Siddharth and Hansika in TVSK, still the focus of all the pre-release promos, trailers and posters have been on Santhanam. The trailer was in fact packed totally with Santhanam’s wisecracks and typical sly remarks. We know what to expect when we buy a ticket for TVSK this Friday and enter the theater. It’s going to be a Santhanam feast all the way and with Sundar C’s prior expertise at packaging a commercial entertainer, we can be assured of a good time at the theater, what with Hansika’s oomph and Siddharth’s youthful charm to further bank upon.

All in All, this battle between the two comedy sensations is one where the outcome is ought to be a win-all situation for everyone concerned. In the coming weeks, we will also get the opportunity to see these two together in Ya Ya. But before that, we have to see who comes out on top in this promising little battle. May the best ‘laughter doctor’ win!